Catherine has guaranteed that there will be Sunshine(!), at least inside the theatre, (she wrote a book about it) and anyone interested in one of those spiffy "Live in The Fast Lane" t-shirts (seen in video clip one), please send me a "Personal Message" and I'll see what I can do.

Ha, I dont know if I guaranteed sunshine but, since my arrival, today was the first day any sky has been visible at all -- gorgeous clear blue heavens and bright +3C. The canals are starting to melt (slowly). Hope the weather continues for Thursday's opening night, as it makes the walk to the theatre that much nicer.

Well, after only two days there's already been some other great stuff, so that's the bright side.

Alina Somova

"Swan Lake"

Remarkable !

There isn't much that she can't do and tonight she did just about everything.

She never seems to do the same thing twice these days. This "Swan Lake" was different from any of her others that I've seen and when she hopefully performs it again in the States, about six months from now, it may be completely different again. But that would be predictable, which she isn't, so....

I'm sure she did, Buddy. (wink) Glad that you enjoyed it. I am looking forward to assessing all of the Odette-Odiles next fall in California. Acually, it may be two trips to see Russian Swan Lakes in California this year -- the Bolshoi's swans in June (L.A.), followed by the Mariinsky in October (Berkeley). Double the pleasure - double the fun!

Tonight's 'Bayadere' with Zakharova/ A. Matvienko/Volchkov should be magnificent. I'm sure that Zakharova's fans will be out in full force. Be on the look out (or "listen-out") for our infamous "BRAVO MAN" Yevgeni somewhere in the audience, leading the loud cheers.

The Mariinsky web still lists tomorrow's Sylph and James as "TBDs." I am happy to see, however, that young Nadezhda Batoeva -- a lovely brunette who was one of the stars of the class of 2009 -- will be dancing Effie at that performance. She should shine.

Tonight "Yevgeni" didn't have to do a thing ! The applause was rapturous !

Svetlana Zakharova

(And Everyone Else)

"La Bayadère"

Another Magnificent Evening !

It was a beautiful evening in honor of Olga Moiseeva, who sat in the VIP box next to the stage almost hidden behind huge bouquets of flowers. At the curtain call, both Svetlana Zakharova and Alexander Volchkov added their huge bouquets to the others. Anastasia Matvienko already offered hers after the second Act. Svetlana Zakharova gave Olga Moiseeva a deep bow and a huge smile. Olga Moiseeva seemed extremely touched and appreciative.

Yes, the house was full to the brim with the non-MT crowd, Muscovites and other Zakharova/Bolshoi fans. I was particularly (or should I say) more impressed with Volchkov's dancing. Utterly elegant.

Altynai gave a 15-minute speech in honor of Moiseyeva at the outset, but the crowd was getting ancy for the performance to start.

NN, Bravo man -- a *different one* -- was there in the parterre tonight. In the split seconds between the end of the music and the time it takes a person to lift their hands to clap -- he yelled Bravo (or Brava) each time. I have never seen this man before though, he is not the Petersburg Evgeni we know. I think it is his Moscow twin .

Also, Batoeva danced Manu last night and she very much stood out in that minor role. I had to check my program, I was so impressed. This morning I received news that the anticipated performance of Cojocaru + Kobberg shall not be. Novikova and Stepin instead and the website now reflects that.

Just a preview note that the gala in honor of Gennady Silutsky's 55 yrs of service tomorrow night will feature a range of tasty divertissements, including the "Butterfly" (Babochka) pas de deux (Somova and Sergeyev), Talisman pas de deux (Osmolkina), Corsaire grand pas (Tereshkina and Ermakov), Christian Spuck funny pas de deux (Lopatkina and Korsuntsev), and many others, in addition to "In the Night" and "Symphony in C". It will be a fantastic evening with an overflowing bill.

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